[SOLVED] Can't download anything!

[Hammer Man]

I am using internet explorer on my Advent laptop which is running windows vista home premium sevice pack 1. I connect to the internet via my netgear wireless router although my problem still exists when I try connecting to it with an ethernet cable.

I am unable to watch any streamed content like youtube videos, radio streams, etc and am no longer able to download anything at all. Sometimes nothing at all happens when I click to download something, other times the box opens with 'run', 'save', 'cancel'. It doesn't matter if I click run or save, it just won't download anything. Sometimes the next box opens where you select where you want the file to be downloaded to but then when I chose desktop or somethhing it just closes and nothing happens.

Also, when I'm on the internet, a box sometimes opens telling me that internet explorer cannot open the webpage (can't remember the exact mesage) but when I click back or refresh the webpage opens.

I am pulling my hair out here and really hope someone can help, thanks in advance to anyone who does!

James.

[qbawl]

Have you changed any security settitngs in your browser of made any changes to your machine's firewall. With security settings too high, Comodo, the firewall which I use, won't allow anything to be downloaded or opened.

[Hammer Man]

No I haven't changed any settings as I don't know how.. Its possible I could have without realising I suppose..?